As an amateur, Martin Burke won the 1918 National AAU Middleweight champion by defeating Sam Lagonia. He won the heavyweight title in 1919, defeating P. Searle at Camp Devens, MA.

After his fighting career ended, Burke promoted boxing and wrestling shows in New Orleans.

On November 9, 1945, along with Jack Dempsey, Burke helped promote a "Victory Loan" War Bonds show at the Coliseum Arena, which raised $2,500,000. The show was headlined by amateur flyweights Keith Hamilton and Johnny Arduini.

Burke moved to Palm Springs in 1948, where he lived until his death in 1978.